Stokes was arrested in Bristol on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after getting into a fight but was released late in the night without charges.

However, the ECB suspended Stokes and Alex Hales, who was with the English all-rounder at the time of the incident. The dashing all-rounder was also dropped from the Ashes squad after the incident.

Stokes had claimed to both the police and to the ECB in their internal investigation that he was coming to the aid of two men who had been subjected to homophobic abuse prior to the incident.

"During the incident Mr. Stokes lost his control and started to attack with revenge, retaliation or punishment in mind. Well beyond acting in self-defense or defense of another," Corsellis said. "He knocked Mr. Hale unconscious and then - after time to pause for thought, to calm - he did exactly the same to Mr. Ali."

Stokes had been partying with England teammates at the Mbargo nightclub after a one-day international against the West Indies. Stokes left the club at 12:46 a.m. but the pair returned at 2:08 a.m. and was refused entry because the club was closed. Stokes allegedly hurled insulting comments at the door supervisor.

Stokes then spoke to two men -- Kai Barry and William O'Connor -- who were described by the prosecutor as "flamboyant, extrovert and openly gay." Security camera footage, which had no audio recording, showed Stokes flicking the end of a cigarette toward one of the men.

Citing testimony from the doorman, Corsellis said Stokes was "mimicking their voices and mannerisms...making fun of their camp behavior" before leaving the area in an "angry state of mind."

Stokes then encountered Barry, O'Connor, Hale and Ali further down the road where the fighting began.

"We know Mr. Ali had a bottle and he was using it. No one else was armed," Corsellis said. "Mr. Stokes became involved and punched out and grappled with Mr. Ali on the ground."

Stokes was arrested at the scene and footage from one of the police officers' body cameras captured him saying he intervened because a man was "abusing my two friends for being gay."

The gay couple had praised Stokes for saving them from homophobic bullies on the night of the pub brawl in Bristol.

Kai Barry and William O'Connor said they were "grateful" to Stokes, who stepped up to help them from getting beaten up, and also called the England all-rounder a "real hero".

Stokes, who was dropped from England's Ashes squad, made a comeback to England Test squad for home series against Pakistan. The all-rounder also played a key role in England's 31-run victory over India in the first Test at Edgbaston.

The Durham star all-rounder will miss the second Test at Lord's starting August 9.

(With inputs from AP)

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